Views of the Neighborhood – Visit to Moon Valley Nurseries

I know the Producer, and I seem to be fixated on nurseries. Last week we had to visit another in the quest for an olive tree and Artichoke Agave. Our landscaper was having a difficult time finding them, so we thought we would help in the search. I hope you enjoy the quest.

Here is the main sign.

Parking lot with big trees.

The entrance.

A sign warning about falling trees Also, check the price of the Italian Cyprus – $12,000.

The greeter. She has to be brushed every night.

Love Hibiscus.

Cute farmhouse-like building.

Pathway through the jungle.

Clearer path.

Trees to go.

High wind victim.

The nursery is on an old putt-putt golf course.

Some Italian Cyprus.

Small utility building.

Lovely roses and Lantana. Moon Valley did have olive trees and Artichoke Agave. We gave the landscaper the Nursery name and location. He knew of that firm and liked that we did the footwork.

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81 comments

I, too, have your affinity for nurseries. I could be very happy living in that green utility building. (I like cozy. Danny the Dog and I lived on a boat for seven years that had about 40 sq. ft. of living space.)

My first boat was a Catalina 22′. I sailed all over the Caribbean with that. Then I inched up to bigger boats. My last sailboat was a 42′ ketch. But then I retired from sailing, but still lived on a boat, houseboats, motor boats, whatever. I didn’t care as long as it was on the water. The last boat I lived on was 25′ and had no engine. I had to put cinder blocks in the engine compartment to keep it level. Someone gave it to me for free, and I said, “What the hell?”

Over the years, the marina I lived in tried to give me boats (for free) that had been abandoned. (Because I’m such a nice guy.) One of my fans even offered to buy me a bigger boat—anything up to $5,000. But I always said no. No one could understand how I could live in such a small space. But all I needed was a bed, a small counter to cook on, and a place for me to sit and write on my computer. No distractions. I wrote six books on that boat.

Of course, I didn’t have much of a love life. But we all must make sacrifices for our art.

What species is that olive? At first I thought you might be trying Mexican olive, but this one seems quite different. It’s good to see that space around the agave, too. Never mind the species or size — those babies can be dangerous!

Bushwa! Even after the high price of everything in DC for ten years, I’m shocked at the price of that cypress…
However, I really enjoyed this visit to the nursery, John. What an extraordinary place. The olive tree looks happy in its new home. I’m most intrigued by the artichoke agave. I’ve seen some gigantic agaves around town here. I’ve no idea what variety they are, but they are probably tall as me and easily as big around. They must live a long time.
Have a sublime Sunday. Hugs.

Our favorite thing to do is make the rounds of nurseries with a radius of 35 miles. aside from the usual staple plants that everyone carries, there is usually one or two plants that no other nursery carries. That one gem is worth all the searching around.

I’m glad you were successful in your search, John. I’ve done the same sort of thing here for our yard-man, who seems to prefer a nursery which charges exorbitant prices for flowers and such. And even that’s no guarantee they’ll grow! Those are beauties you picked out.

Oh, your photos are wonderful. Congratulations on finding what you wanted. I hope the landscaper gives you a discount since you did, in effect, do his job for him 😉 Just kidding (not really). At least you had fun and found a new place to explore.